Our role in the ICT sector

We are responsible for maintaining a robust regulatory environment for the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

On this page

The legislation we manage

We manage the following legislation:

Telecommunications Act 2001(external link) and its associated regulations which together comprise the New Zealand telecommunications regulatory regime. The Telecommunications Act 2001 regulates the supply of some telecommunication services for promoting competition in telecommunication markets to bring long-term benefits to its users in New Zealand.

All telecommunications providers must help fulfil interception warrants (or use ongoing statutory authority). In addition, a smaller group of network operators must pre-invest in the necessary equipment and technical resources to carry out interceptions over their networks.

The Act sets out a path to identify, and if necessary, address network security risks which may arise from network operators' proposed investments in network equipment. Network operators must engage with the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) about changes to their network equipment where such changes could have an impact on national security.

Our role is also to administer, advise, monitor, enforce and represent as follows:

Administer

We administer:

the register of telecommunications network operators

New Zealand Post's information disclosure requirements

telecommunications service obligations instruments.

Enforce

We enforce:

the Radiocommunications Act 1989, including assigning licences, and compliance, enforcement, and registration.

Advise

We provide:

policy advice on regulation of the ICT sector, and the social, cultural, environmental and economic impacts of new technology

advice to the Minister for Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media on the recommendations made by the Telecommunications Commissioner

policy and technical planning advice on the allocation of the radio and broadcasting spectrums, and issues related to commercial broadcasting.

Monitor

We monitor

the telecommunications functions of the Commerce Commission.

Represent

We represent:

New Zealand in international ICT fora and trade negotiations.

E-commerce

We also co-ordinate the development of electronic commerce policy across government to ensure the regulations facilitate use of electronic commerce and don't create barriers and cost to business.

E-commerce means online trading, that is, buying and selling goods and services over electronic networks. Although e-commerce refers to all electronic transactions over any electronic network, today we tend to think of it as transactions carried out on the internet.

Internet governance

As the government agency responsible for telecommunications policy, we have a focus on developing efficient, reliable and responsive infrastructure, productive and competitive businesses, and a world-class business environment.

This includes ensuring internet resources are managed in a way that supports the interests of New Zealand end-users of telecommunications services.

InternetNZ MOU

InternetNZ is the trustee of the .nz domain name for New Zealand. It is an open membership organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting the Internet for New Zealand.

InternetNZ signed a Memorandum of Understanding with us in May 2016 for the management of the name. Under this MOU, InternetNZ has a duty to manage the domain name in service to the local internet community.